Yams are quite often mistaken for a SWEET POTATO and the YAM suffers the same fate. The authentic yam is a tuber of a tropical vine and cannot even consider to be related at all to the sweet potato. A true yam is hard to locate in an US market although it is gaining in popularity in the US however it is a popular vegetable in Latin American and the Caribbean. The yam can probably be located in local Asian and African markets. I have never seen them in my very American grocery not to say they maybe in some.

The true yam can be found in varieties totaling approximately 200. The fleshy part includes
various colors such as white, ivory, yellow or purple. The thick exterior may be white,pink or
brownish black. The yam shape is long and cylindrical often reaching seven feet in length. After
cooking the yams,you will find them with a very slippery and starchy appearance. The taste is not
that of sweetness but more of a earthy and hardy taste. This description does not evoke visions
of the well known yams that appear on your Thanksgiving plate. The very simple answer to the lead in question “WHEN IS A YAM NOT A YAM OR IS IT A SWEET POTATO when it is an orange-colored sweet potato that has been labeled a yam. This resulted from the growers of this type of sweet potato having the desire to distinguish it from the white-fleshed sweet potato that most people recognized.

This not to say that the yam is not an outstanding vegetable because it is an excellent source of
Vitamin B6. The high intake of vitamin B6 has been noted to reduce the the risk of heart
disease.If you find the “true” yam it will be likely sold in chunks sealed in plastic wrap.It
would be a little unwieldy to handle a seven foot tuber weighing nearly 150 pounds.The yam is
also an excellent source of potassium which aids in controlling blood pressure. A storage protein
contained in the Yam known as dioscorin may also benefit those who suffer from hypertension.

“True” yams can usually be substituted in any sweet potato recipe. However a word of caution
show be noted here the “true” yam cannot be consumed in a raw state without toxic results. This
is not true of a sweet potato. Yams should be kept in a cool dark and well-ventilated spot for up
to ten days. They should be kept loose and not in the sealed plastic bag in which they were
purchased. Please don’t store uncooked yams in your refrigerator.

Now is the time to enjoy something different using “true” yams. You can puree the cooked yam add a little milk and season with tamari, coriander, cumin and cayenne for a delicious taste. Because
of the yams earthy and deep taste you can pair it up with darker meats like venison. It would
good in your next stir fry by adding chunks of yams along with fennel,onions,and mushrooms it
really makes a very delicious combo. Ask your local grocer where to find “true” yams this will
also test your local grocer in his knowledge of produce.

This gardener has been gardening for over twenty years and has decided to use his empirical data as well as researched information to assist beginners as well as old timers in their garden pursuits. My web site can be found at http://www.gardenersgardening.com

No matter what type of plant or container you use in your garden, adequate drainage is a must. Waterlogged soil is one of the major culprits of damaged and dying plants and it is essential for every container you use to have enough drainage holes to avoid potential problems. Even having too many drainage holes is far better than not having enough.

If the container or pot you would like to use does not have a drainage hole in it already, drilling one using a handheld drill with a large bore drill bit is the easiest way to make one. Usually, drainage holes at least ½ inch to 1 inch in diameter are best. Make one drainage hole per square foot of container space, but if you’re not sure how many square feet your pot or container is, err on the side of caution and drill several holes, evenly spaced around the bottom of the container.

If you are drilling in a clay or terra cotta pot, place masking tape in an X-shaped design where you plan to drill in order to prevent cracking or shattering. For best results, use a masonry bit for stone or cement planters and boxes. It’s better to use a smaller bore bit to start, and then increase diameter if you’re concerned about breaking or shattering your pot. For wooden boxes and containers, you may use a hammer and a nail, though using a drill is preferable to prevent cracking or splitting of wood.

Testing potential objects for use as suitable potting containers is also a good idea before you plant anything inside them. To test, pour water into the object and make sure water drains freely, without puddling or pooling. If it does pool, drill.

Different types of containers will absorb and drain water at different rates and speeds. To allow for adequate absorption and drainage, add good quality potting soils, sphagnum peat moss or composted pine bark to your planters that will help with water and nutrient holding capabilities.

Many types of unique containers don’t allow adequate drainage. These may include, but are not limited to, items you find in a garage or tool shed, and can be made of substances ranging from wood to plastic to metal. Unique containers might be an old pair of Army boots or your son’s old wagon or your daughter’s discarded baby buggy. Literally anything that will hold dirt is acceptable as a plant container. However, no matter what you use, take the time to drill if necessary. Drilling holes in clay, fiberglass, resin and wood products is easy and won’t take much time.

Copyright © Larry Gildea, All Rights Reserved.

Dr.Larry Gildea has authored several articles on gardening. Dr. Gildea has created these gardening websites, http://www.gardeningbonanza.com, Gardening Bonanza.com covers many types of gardening, including, bonsai design and cultivation, container gardening, flower gardening, rose gardening, hydroponics gardening and several others. http://www.organicgardensystems.com - Organic Garden Systems .com is dedicated exclusively to organic gardening. And in his blog, http://larryseasygardening.com - Dr. Gildea discusses all types of gardening.

When choosing containers of various types and sizes, think about drainage and porosity. Plants can also suffer if containers drain too quickly. Several popular containers, such as unglazed terra cotta and wood, dry out faster than materials like plastic and plants in such containers must be watered more frequently. Even though these types of containers drain quickly, they are beneficial because they prevent plants from becoming waterlogged.

When using wood, try to avoid using containers made of pressure-treated wood. Such woods have been dipped or painted with chemicals that can be toxic to both plants and people, especially if you’re using such a container to grow herbs or vegetables. When constructing your own wooden boxes, use rot resistant wood, such as cedar, or treat your container with an exterior grade paint or stain to protect it from rotting.

When figuring out where to place your pots, also keep in mind that drainage will be reduced when a container is set on a solid surface, such as a cement or patio floor. However, by raising the container one or two inches off the floor, you can avoid this drainage problem. Gardeners commonly use bricks, cement blocks or decorative blocks of wood to deal with this. In addition, many gardeners place pots of various sizes on small wooden dollies on rollers, not only for ease in moving around, but also because doing so allows adequate drainage from underneath, no matter where they’re placed.

Drainage and porosity should always be considered when choosing containers. Several popular containers, such as unglazed terra cotta and wood, dry out faster than materials like plastic and plants in such containers must be watered more frequently. It doesn’t matter what you decide to grow. Your planting container should allow adequate drainage, though at the same time allowing sufficient water retention to keep roots moist.

Copyright © Larry Gildea, All Rights Reserved.

Dr.Larry Gildea has authored several articles on gardening. Dr. Gildea has created these gardening websites, http://www.gardeningbonanza.com, Gardening Bonanza.com covers many types of gardening, including, bonsai design and cultivation, container gardening, flower gardening, rose gardening, hydroponics gardening and several others. http://www.organicgardensystems.com - Organic Garden Systems .com is dedicated exclusively to organic gardening. And in his blog, http://larryseasygardening.com - Dr. Gildea discusses all types of gardening.

Sweet, juicy, ripe strawberries! What could be better than picking one right from your own garden and eating it out of hand. Or you might want to gather a bowlful, slice them and serve them over homemade shortcake biscuits or cake. If you grow enough, you can even make jam and preserve it or freeze it. Someone said once that strawberry preserves are like “summer in a jar.”

But here in New England, whether you live in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massacusetts, Rhode Island or Connecticut, growing strawberries can be a challenge. Spring warmth often turns to snow squalls or long damp, cold days. Winter is snowy and cold and frost travels deep into the ground, heaving it up in the spring. Summers can be hot and dry or cool and rainy, depending on the year, or a combination of both for long periods.

It’s essential that you choose a type of strawberry that grows well in the Northeast. Some types that do well here are Earliglow, Redchief and Allstar, but my favorite is Cavendish, which does very well in Maine where I live. It produces large sweet fruit and is tolerant of uneven growing conditions and weather. I’ve had very good luck with it for several years and would recommend it if your garden soil is heavy and/or clay-like.

Your local Extension Office can advise you on what types grow best in your area and also give you growing tips for your particular situation. They’re also able to help with pest problems, soil analysis and diseases of strawberries. You’d be well advised to use their services which are usually free.

Except for the day neutral types, which we won’t get into here, strawberries do best in hills in a bed that is wide enough so that their runners can be covered with soil, thereby producing new plants. For the first year, it’s wise to pinch off the flowerbuds, so that they’ll produce more and bigger berries the second year. When runners appear, bury them and they’ll produce new plants.

Weeding your strawberry bed is very important, because weeds will choke the plants and reduce the yield. Mulching is a good idea also, to keep down weeds and reduce damage from moisture and dirt. Clean straw can be used and is, in fact, how strawberries got their name. Growers used straw to mulch them.

In the fall, you should always mulch the beds to protect the plants from winter damage. Remove all the leaves and cover the crowns with a thin layer of mulch. You can add fertilizer, organic is best, at this time. In the spring, remove the mulch from the top of the crowns and water regularly. Soon, you’ll have another crop of sweet, juicy strawberries from your own garden.

Strawberry beds will usually produce a decent crop for up to 5 years. After that, replanting is necessary. You might want to grow two varieties and experiment with a third, to see which does best where you live. That way, you could also plant one variety that produces a spring crop, one that produces in June and one that bears sporadically all season.

Once you’ve grown your own strawberries, you’ll never want to be without some in the freezer or fridge or in jam on a shelf in your pantry. Full of antioxidants, vitamins and flavor, strawberries are one of the best things to grow in your New England garden.

Lill Hawkins lives in Maine and writes about family life, home education and being a WAHM at http://hawkhillacres.blogspot.com

Get the News From Hawkhill Acres: A mostly humorous look at home schooling, writing and being a WAHM, whose mantra is “I’m a willow; I can bend.”

Have you always dreamed of having an outdoor gazebo? I know I have. I look longingly at gazebos I see in other people’s yards and slow down to look at the ones on display I see when I pass a home or garden center. There are so many styles and types of gazebos. I would be hard pressed to actually choose one of the many styles that are available.

There are simple gazebos that are just a fancy cover and there are more complex and ornate outdoor gazebos. The more elaborate outdoor gazebo has railings, stairs, and a real roof. I would like having built in seating in my gazebo. I would like planting boxes, flowing with seasonal flowers and ivy. You can choose a gazebo that is made of wood or made of metal. It is all up to you and your tastes. It is nice to have a dream that can easily become a reality.

There are many ways for you to obtain an outdoor gazebo. You can go to any home improvement store or lawn and garden store, and see them on display. You can buy one fully assembled and staff from the store will come and install it for you on your property. You can opt to work from a kit if you are good with your hands. The kit will come with everything you need to make your gazebo and has detailed instructions on how to put it together. If you are a really talented and skilled wood worker, you can find a plan that suits you best, and start from scratch and make your own outdoor gazebo. Think of the pride you will feel when you are sitting in your gazebo you made with your own hands.

Entertaining will be taken to a whole, new level with an outdoor gazebo. Imagine sitting outside on a warm evening, sipping cool drinks and watching the stars while you sit in your gazebo with friends and family. You can serve appetizers and wine and feel like royalty as you sit outside under your beautiful, new outdoor gazebo.

Want to learn more about Outdoor Gazebos?, feel free to visit us at: http://www.gazebos-land.info.

The following pecan trees are also excellent as an ornamental tree. The best time to plant pecan trees is in February. This will help in root development as apposed to leaf, limb and trunk growth.

Western Schley - This pecan tree will do best in the arid desert southwest. It is a self pollinator and produces heavy fruit at an early age. It likes arid climates and is also excellent for southern California deserts and higher altitudes. It does well in the colder Texas Panhandle region. It usually ripens in late October and early November. It will also pollinate other varieties of pecan trees.

Burkett - This pecan tree is a medium to large round soft shell nut. It is rich, distinctive flavored kernel. It is a large tree and ripens in late September and through early November. Likes arid climates.

Cheyenne - Is a medium soft shell with an excellent flavor. It produces fruit early in the season - Mid September. Can pollinate other pecan varieties. It like southern humid and arid climates including east and west regions. It is a semi self fertile.

Mahan - A very large soft shell kernel. This pecan bears heavy at an early age, and is also a good shade tree. It prefers arid warm winter climates. Ripens in Mid November.

Mohawk - Very large soft shell also a heavy bearer when young. It does very well in the Southwest and Southeast regions. It It is a very attractive tree also excellent for the large backyard. Ripens in Late October, early November.

Hardy Pecan Tree - Carya Illinoinensis, is a beautiful, majestic tree that grows to a height of 70 to 100 feet with a spread of 40 to 75 feet. It has low wide spreading branches. The tree provides a bounty of sweet pecan fruits and lots of summer shade after reaching maturity. Hardy Pecan trees have moderate water requirements and has a moderate tolerance to salt and alkali soils. This deciduous, hardy, shade tree is ideal for lawns because it does not shed its leaves until late fall and it is practically immune to the attack of insects. The one drawback is that it takes 12-15 years before the tree begins to bear nuts .

Pecan Tree Tips
Remember pecan trees need ample chill hours to produce a good crop. A good rule of thumb is to count the number of hours between November 1st and February 15th that are between 32 degrees and 45 degrees F. These hours are cumulative and not continuous. In the Las Cruces, NM area we normally have over 1,000 chill hours.

Pruning one-third to one-half of the top is one way of getting pecan trees to thrive.

Harvest time is usually after the first good hard freeze in the southwest.

You should plant pecans about 2″ deeper than normal to allow for settling of the soil.

Water every day for the first 2 weeks when planting any tree, and use a good root stimulator to stimulate root growth.

Visit href="http://www.guzmansgreenhouse.com">Guzman’s Greenhouse for more free gardening/landscaping information.

If leaves start to turn yellowish, it is time to fertilize.

If your tree is not bearing fruit you probably need a fertilizer with ZINC.

Dead twigs in tops of pecan trees, small nuts, and yellowing of leaves are an indication of ZINC defeciency.

Check your local nursery for fruit/pecan tree fertilizer.

Keep your pecan tree free of insects and diseases. Physically inspect your tree(s) on a weekly basis.

Always remove grass and weeds under the tree canopy.

Always plant so the root is totally buried in the original soil line or landscape.

Amost all varieties of pecans trees will do better with a pollinator. The Western Schle will pollinate other pecan trees.

Gary & Paul Guzman are the authors of this article: Gary is the owner of Color your world nurseries & Paul is general manager of Guzman’s greenhouse and the webmaster of http://www.guzmansgreenhouse.com
To receive more free information about gardening href="http://www.guzmansgreenhouse.com/newsletter.htm">click here

Cottage gardens are traditionally thought of as English gardens, lushly planted with colorful jumbles of flowers and shrubs, and grown in areas with mild winters and cool summers. Unfortunately, most places in the U.S. outside of the Pacific Northwest do not have the proper climate for an English garden.

Luckily, American cottage gardens are just as beautiful and better adapted to our climate. Still based on the lovely informal array of flowers and shrubs, they are perfectly suited to most informal suburban homes or country lots without the need for a huge English manor garden space that few of us have.

American cottage gardening encompasses using more drought tolerant and native plants, plants that are hardier for cold winter climates, and plants that tolerate and even thrive on the sunshine. The style tends to look natural and free flowing without any plan or design, however does indeed usually have a backbone plan to bring out the best in plant color combinations and textures that compliment each other. That being said, cottage gardens are also places where self seeded plants may be allowed to pop up as they will, and the garden is always a surprise from one season to the next! Flowers, shrubs, vegetables and herbs may share the same beds, and roses abound! Vines soften fences and walls, and furniture and decor is simple and comfortable.

Some easy to grow, drought and heat resistant plants perfect for the American cottage garden include yarrow, valerian, Russian sage, coneflower, coreopsis, scabiosa, joe pye weed, daffodils, sunflower, butterfly bush and roses. Many herbs also love heat. Sage, thyme, purple basil, golden oregano and lavender all thrive in my high desert garden. Annuals can be seeded directly in the garden and many self sow for next year as well. Good cottage gardens choices include cosmos, annual sunflower, cleome, alyssum and poppies.

Cottage gardens are magical places, full of charm, whimsy and surprises, and a perfect place to let your creativity in the garden shine and grow. Don’t forget to add a meandering path, a rustic or painted arbor, and a picket fence here or there.

My own garden here at The Garden Glove is a cottage garden style, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. See photos and read articles on cottage style gardens at our website below.

If you’re looking for a laid back style, beautiful easy care flowers, and a charming feel for your home and garden, cottage style is for you.

Kathy Wilson is a home and garden writer, author and consultant and is the home decorating expert for LifetimeTV.com.

Kathy Wilson is an author, home decorating expert and columnist for LifetimeTv.com, and editor of several popular home and garden websites. For hundreds of free do it
yourself home and garden ideas, please visit her websites
now at http://www.TheGardenGlove.com and http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com Also visit her work at home site at
http://www.Women-on-the-Net.com, where ANY woman can learn to make money on the internet!

Hi there, We are lucky enough to live in the part of the country known as East Anglia and with it’s gorgeous country side, woods, rivers and sea to admire. We have just got back from an early morning walk with our dog down in the woods. We would like you to share in the joys we have just enjoyed.

Try and visualize as we describe the pleasure we have just witnessed. Walking through the woods with the steam coming off the trunks of the trees and rising off the grass as the power of the rising sun unleashes its heat on the morning dew.

Looking up into the canopy of the exploding buds bursting into their yearly task of creating their leaves of different colors, sizes and shapes, with the last of the blooms hanging on. Some of the trees like the majestic oaks are still in their dormant slumber yet to awaken to the coming of spring.

Looking down to see our dog Rusty bounding over the carpet of bluebells giving off their scented aroma for everyone to enjoy. The air filled with the chorus of songs from different birds saying hello to the awakening world. In the distance rabbits eating the moist grass while lapping up the heat on their bodies.

As we near the end of the woods our hearts miss a couple of beats from the ear piercing cry of a startled pheasant disturbed from its feeding by our faithful pet. We do not know who was more frightened for those few lost heart beats ourselves, Rusty or the magnificent coloured cock pheasant. Well all the tranquility has returned as we set off on our homeward journey with the increasing suns temperature.

Back to the flowering gardens

The wonderful yellow bloom of the acacia tree has finally dropped leaving a mess on the ground for you to clear up, but a small price to pay for the bright glow of beauty it has brought you over the last few weeks. Also the weeping willows have dropped there catkins and now funneling their efforts into growth with their long dangling branches.

The Camelia has been showing off with their shades of pinks and reds to glorious effect but do not forget our plant tips of dead heading, so the plants can put their effort in giving all to the remaining heads their best. Out of the plant tips this is probably one of the most over looked and yet easiest carried out.

The flowering gardens are certainly coming into their own now with every thing going on . It is certainly a job to even see all the exciting changes that are happening
but what you do not discover today you will find tomorrow. That is some of the delights of your gardens

Lawn care is still one of the top topics. With the glorious weather we have been having over the past weeks the lawns are on the move. You should have by now had a first cut, if not do it now. If you have let your grass grow too long make sure you do not cut it lower than two inches for the first cut, reducing down to one inch in successive cuts. Do not cut lower than this unless it is a show garden or front lawn without much foot traffic. If you lawn is used or in hot conditions increase the length to at least one and half inches to help retain moisture.

Hope these tips help

Sandra & Ted

This article was composed by Sandra & Ted Wosko of A-Z Landscapes & Contract Services Ltd.

We run a very successful uk based landscaping family company. We have some blue chip companies as our clients and been retained by them for several years. We have been acknowledged for helping companies achive
their environmental compliance standards.

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Gardening or farming is perhaps one of the oldest activity man have learned to enjoy. It may not have been considered a hobby during the earlier days of human evolution but this still does not negate the fact that gardening has for long, served as an activity that helps man enjoy his leisure time and appreciate the nature that surrounds him. And with the evolution of farming to gardening comes the evolution of the essential gardening tools.

Some people find gardening a boring activity though while some can easily indulge into it as if it were a major league baseball. For people who are trying to find their vein in gardening, it is best that they should know the basics first and should you want to buy their first set of gardening tools, you must be very aware that there are some tools that are too specified for certain purposes alone.

We will discuss some of the most common gardening tools in this article.

You must remember though that for novice gardeners, there are certain gardening tools that should be reserved for later purchase. The list we have provided here is designed only for beginners and have eliminated much of the tools that are too specialized or too expensive.

Gardening Rake

For a smoother finish on your new plant bed or lawn, you must provide yourself with a gardening rake. This is very vital when it comes to smoothing the soil after tilling. It can also be used for cleaning the surface of the ground from large debris such as stones, pebbles and dried leaves. When choosing a rake, you must go for a bow rake.

Hoe

Apart from the cultivation of the soil, hoes can also be used in weeding and digging since they penetrate easier into the soil.

Cultivators

A cultivator is an essential part of your gardening tools if you have just set out to till an untouched land. These have patented tines that could cut into compacted soil for vegetable garden or for annual beds.

Shovel

If there is something that could be associated directly with gardening apart from plants and soil, that would be the shovel. The shovel is the round-edged tool that is normally used on forming the soil into beds and in digging it. Some plants, especially the small species, can also be transferred into the plant beds using shovels.

Spading Fork

This gardening tool is used for breaking up the firm soil. It is especially effective in hard soil and could easily turn compacted soil into smooth and even ground. This has a similar appearance with pitchforks, only this can be distinguished through its larger tines and shorter handle.

Shears

If you are planning to go beyond breaking the ground and turning the soil, you should find yourself looking for a pair of shears. These are said to be irreplaceable and once you find your fit, you should stick with the tool for as long as you can. These are also called clippers and are normally used for pruning and shaping the hedge.

There. Now you have your basic gardening tools. Once you find gardening a delightful thing to do or if you are planning to stick with it for long, then that would only be the time that you should invest on more sophisticated gardening tools.

Read more about Gardening Tools at the online guide at http://www.gardening.advice-tips.com

I was what you would call an armchair gardener. It’s not that I did not have the drive. When I lived in my parents house during my teenage years, I used to have a flower and garden area that would rock your world. I grew some of the freshest tomatoes and some of the most beautiful daisies that you have ever seen. It’s just that, living in a small New York City apartment, I had almost no room at all for my possessions. Growing anything was unthinkable.

Everything changed when I moved to San Francisco. I went to a SF flower and garden show, and was blown away by what I saw. You see, San Francisco has a unique climate. Practically anything that can grow can grow there. It is bright enough for plants that need a lot of sunlight, yet there is enough precipitation for plants that need a lot of moisture. It is not too hot, and it is not too cold. It stays almost the same temperature all year. In short, it is the perfect moderate environment.

Because of that, San Francisco flower and garden shows are known the world over. They have some of the best and brightest flowers, the freshest fruits and vegetables, and the most impressive gourds that you have ever seen. Every garden and flower magazine profiles them each year, and each year is better than the last. When you go to the flower and garden show in San Francisco, is almost impossible to not become obsessed with the idea of growing something on your own. The plants look so splendid, after all, that how could you resist?

Of course, reading a flower and garden magazine, or going to a flower festival, is one thing. Starting one on your own is another. The flower and garden magazines make it look so easy, but it is not easy! Actually, I forgot how hard it was. I remember the way that my flowers looked when they were in full bloom, but I do not remember the amount of work that went into them. Having a few scattered flowers and tomatoes is one thing, but having a neatly groomed garden is another. I had such unrealistic expectation from the flowers and gardens show that disappointment was inevitable. Nonetheless, after a few years I did have an impressive flower and Garden display. I was growing plants from all over the world!

Percy Troughton’s runs his own garden center as well as running several shopping based websites. His particular specialty is gardening equipment. Check out these great href="http://www.gardenresourcesworld.com"> Garden Resources or these href="http://www.gardenresourcesworld.com/flower_gardening.html">Flower Gardening advice and tips.
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